41873
March 2025

 Waterproof vs water resistant - what's the difference?

A common question when talking about waterproofing is "what's the difference between waterproof and water resistant?" We have developed a guide on offering a fully tanked solution to protect the tile and stone for as long as the bathroom lasts.  British Standard 5385 Parts 1 and 3 states "in wet areas such as showers, wet rooms and steam rooms, substrates should be protected with a suitable proprietary tanking membrane system". When installing a bathroom that is to meet these standards, the installer should not rely on materials such as tile or grout to offer this solution.  

So why is waterproofing so important? 

Bathrooms are exposed to a significant amount of moisture, with showers, baths, sinks and toilets using around half of the total household water.  Failure to waterproof a bathroom can result in this moisture leaking from the bathroom and causing problems in other parts of the home.

What does this mean for my shower installation? 

Tiles, adhesive and grout alone are not waterproof; they are water resistant at best. What this means is that, over time, moisture can pass through these materials and into the substrate below, causing havoc on the foundations of your bathroom. A worst-case scenario could see the joists and floorboards completely damaged beyond repair. These failures are often not immediately obvious and can go undetected for some time.  

So, what is the difference?  

There are three common terms all describing a different state: 

• Water-sensitive materials, such as plasterboard and wood-based materials, are sensitive to moisture and, in most cases, break down or degrade when subjected to moisture. 
• Water-resistant backgrounds allow water to migrate through the product without the composition being affected. However, this means that water tracks into the substrate behind.  
• Waterproof, on the other hand is impervious; water is unable to penetrate the surface. In addition to this, waterproof products also protect structural integrity.  

Above: Water resistant waterdrop test 41873 1 

Above: Waterproof waterdrop test 41873 2

Having an attractive finish in a bathroom is all well and good but, without an effective tanking solution below the covering, there's no guarantee that the homeowner won't be affected by problems further down the line once moisture issues become apparent. 

For further information, call01530 813396or visithttps://www.schluter.co.uk/

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With Compliments: 
Taylor Alden
media@tayloralden.co.uk